Posts Tagged ‘nursing home cameras’

Recently, a federal bill meant to allow nursing home patients or their families to place a camera in the resident’s room failed to pass the Senate Medical Affairs Committee. They tabled the matter, for now. But some states such as Texas and Oklahoma have already passed laws allowing certain monitoring devices, a move which will enable government officials to gather facts about the benefits, drawbacks and challenges of implementing a nationwide rule.

In Texas, the first state to pass such a law in 2001, the resident or guardian must pay for the equipment and a notice must be posted outside the room stating that electronic monitoring is being used. A nursing home may not refuse to admit or discharge a resident because of a request to install a device.

I do want to make it clear that I personally oppose any federal legislation that would make cameras in nursing home rooms mandatory. Thankfully, I don’t believe that is on the agenda. I feel that the decision should be made on a case by case basis with consideration of all factors.

Why would cameras be a good idea?

There are many reasons I can see that lend strength to the argument for cameras in nursing home rooms:

Cameras focused on your loved one’s care would allow the family to monitor care providers.

Any kind of abuse and/or neglect would be recorded, and if an abuser happened to be on the staff, then he or she could be caught and terminated.

There’s also less chance of maltreatment happening in the first place, since awareness of the cameras could stifle the urge to abuse.

On the flip side, the family would also be able to observe the wonderful care that many staff members provide.

In addition, family members would be able to check in on they’re loved one at any time remotely from they’re smart phone or computer.

It’s also ideal for family members who live out-of-town or extended family that wants to see they’re loved one but is too far away to make the trip.

Whether or not to install a camera depends on the situation. To me, if cameras need to be used in a nursing home, they should be used judiciously and with allowance for the feelings of the resident, when possible.

In many areas of the country most nursing homes provide good and excellent care, but there’s no way to be absolutely certain that abuse will never be an issue. Any facility can hire someone who is qualified on paper and charming of personality only to find out that he or she is a thief or worse, an abuser.

At CSI, I have installed dozens of security cameras in nursing homes, for the family members of residents, And I can tell you that the piece of mind of knowing you can check in on your loved one at any time is priceless. If you have a loved one in a nursing home and suspect abuse, Or you just want to be able to check in on them without having to drive to the home a security camera system could be the solution you need.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like free information or a free estimate on a security camera system by the contact form on this website or by calling us at 210-875-7978